NFL Week 12 Power Rankings

This is officially the best team in football. Now Seattle just needs to beat the Saints to cement that status. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

2. Denver Broncos (9-2)

Peyton Manning didn’t deserve a whole lot of credit for the 24-0 lead. He also doesn’t deserve a whole lot of blame for the 34-31 loss. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

3. New Orleans Saints (9-2)

The Saints have allowed just 16.7 points over their last three games – all wins. Monday’s showdown with Seattle will likely decide home-field advantage in the NFC. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

4. Carolina Panthers (8-3)

Cam Newton has this whole game-winning drive thing down. Carolina has now won seven straight games – its most since 2003. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

5. New England Patriots (8-3)

Needless to say, a great win for the Patriots. Now let’s see if it’s season-changing. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

6. Kansas City Chiefs (9-2)

The Kansas City defense suddenly looks ineffective (68 points allowed the last two games) and fragile (Tamba Hali and Justin Houston exited Sunday’s 41-38 loss to the Chargers with injuries). That’s not going to cut it. For this team to win, the defense needs to be the best in football. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)

7. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)

A once runaway lead in the AFC North has dwindled. Let’s see what you’re made of, Cincy. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)

8. San Francisco 49ers (7-4)

After losing two straight games by a combined four points, Monday night was just was the doctor ordered. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

9. Philadelphia Eagles (6-5)

With home games against Arizona and Detroit following the bye, Philadelphia is positioned nicely for the rest of the season. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images)

10. Dallas Cowboys (6-5)

Since 2011, Tony Romo has 11 game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime – the most in the NFL. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

11. Arizona Cardinals (7-4)

That’s four straight wins for Arizona, during which Carson Palmer has eight touchdown and just two interceptions. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

12. Indianapolis Colts (7-4)

The Colts have dropped two of their last three by a combined 59 points. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

13. Chicago Bears (6-5)

The Bears allowed the Kellen Clemens-led Rams to rush 29 times for 258 yards – 8.9 yards per carry – and three touchdowns. If you’re a Bears fan, nothing about that previous sentence makes you happy. (Photo by Michael Thomas/Getty Images)

14. Detroit Lions (6-5)

Matthew Stafford’s four interceptions – at home against Tampa Bay, no less – spoiled the Lions’ chance to create meaningful separation in the NFC North. Thanksgiving’s game against the Aaron Rodgers-less Packers is must win. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

15. Baltimore Ravens (5-6)

The Ravens haven’t scored 20 points in a non-overtime game since Week 5. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

16. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-6)

When Pittsburgh wins, it’s usually because of the defense. The Steelers have allowed 16 points or fewer in four of their five wins. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

17. San Diego Chargers (5-6)

The 41 points against Kansas City – of all defenses – was a season high. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

18. New York Jets (5-6)

The Jets have been held to 14 points or fewer in all six of their losses – and single digits in four of them. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

19. St. Louis Rams (5-6)

The Rams have won their last two games – both against winning teams – by a combined 51 points. (Photo by Michael Thomas/Getty Images)

20. Miami Dolphins (5-6)

The Dolphins led Carolina 16-3 but didn’t score after halftime. You want to know what the difference is between 5-6 and 6-5 in the AFC? It’s the difference between making the playoffs and finishing 11th in the conference. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

21. Green Bay Packers (5-5-1)

For Green Bay, which had lost three straight, a tie is a victory. A win in Detroit on Thursday would be monumental. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

22. Tennessee Titans (5-6)

If the playoffs started today, the Titans would be in them. Somehow. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)

23. New York Giants (4-7)

The Giant really, really needed that one. Unfortunately for them, they didn’t get it. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

24. Cleveland Browns (4-7)

The Browns are 5-25 against Pittsburgh since 1999. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

25. Oakland Raiders (4-7)

Matt McGloin threw three touchdowns and no interceptions against Tennessee on Sunday. Terrelle Pryor has thrown for one touchdown and eight interceptions in his last four games. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

26. Buffalo Bills (4-7)

For what it’s worth, the Bills play three of the worst teams in football over the next three weeks – Atlanta, Tampa Bay and Jacksonville – and could very easily be 7-7 heading into the final two weeks of the season, when they face Miami and New England. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-8)

That’s three straight wins for the Bucs. Let’s see how Mike Glennon fares this Sunday in Carolina. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

28. Washington Redskins (3-8)

The Redskins have lost three straight and four of five and have looked completely incompetent on offense in nine of their last 10 quarters. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Vikings player Adrian Peterson is indicted for child abuse, according to his attorney. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

30. Atlanta Falcons (2-9)

The Falcons had the best record in football through 11 games last year. This year, they’re among the worst in football. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)

The Jaguars are 15th in the AFC, which means they’re no longer the worst team in football. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

32. Houston Texans (2-9)

The Texans lost at home to Jacksonville and failed to score a touchdown in the process. That’s nine straight losses. If this team stopped showing up, would anyone care? (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)